Electrical connection for Solar power

[pradeepecr]

Anyone have done wiring for solar power connection in house. In future, I'm interested to have few connection point to go with solar for lightings.

Pradeep

[blrsiteseeker]

I did get my house wired for solar lighting. I provided for one light in every room on a separate circuit, to be connected to the solar battery. But for now, we have a solar electric panel which actually feeds into the UPS battery and we get light from the UPS. The reasoning was, if we use separate lights, we need special bulbs and switches for them (since the solar battery would provide DC power). I avoided the different set of switches and bulbs and the need for 2 sets of batteries (one for solar and one for KEB power backup) by having the solar panel feed into my Inverter (only remember you have to get a different type of inverter - the regular one will not be able to handle this setup).

[msn1270]

Currently domestic solar power installation is affordable only for low power application as stop gap arrangement for few hours and definitely not recommended for high powered AEH Applications like Geyser, Steam Iron, High End Washing Machines...etc. Wiring for solar power can be done in three modes like .

1) A exclusive wiring for the Solar power only for the lighting purpose. Here you don't need an inverter and you can use the LED Based Lighting fixtures, which works directly on DC Power.

Pros: You can save Inverter Cost.

Cons: Additional Wiring and u can't use this power for any of the domestic electrical appliances.
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2) Separate line for solar power with a sine wave inverter and use it with conventional lights(Tube Lights/CFL/Incandescent Bulbs ) and also low power electrical appliances like TV, Refrigerator, Fan...etc

Pros: you can use for all low powered home appliances along with lighting

Cons: Separate wiring and inverter costs extra
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3) Install the solar power system with a sine wave inverter separately and connect this power to the regular wiring through a change over switch. when the BESCOM mains power goes OFF you can change over to solar power (either manually or Automatically). Here you also can use the conventional Bulbs/Tube lights or CFL & the low power electrical appliances like TV, Fan,..etc.

Pros: same wiring can be used for Mains & Solar Power. Hence Cost is less.

Cons: you need to be very careful about the power source at the time of usage. With manual switching first you need to switch off the high power appliances which were in use and then change over to solar power.

In Automatic change over: While using High power domestic appliances like Geyser, Irox Box, High End Washing Machines, suddenly if the Mains Goes Off and changes over to Solar Power - you will end up damaging the entire Solar power system(Inverter + Battery ..etc), as they all connected to the mains all the time.

Alternately use a suitable rated MCB for solar line just before the Change over switch to safe guard the system.

[yashmys]

Hi blrsiteseeker,

How did the solar lighting cost you? Can you provide the details ?

Thanks,
Yash

[blrsiteseeker]

I will have to check the exact details for the costing. But my inverter (which is a hybrid - for both solar and KEB electricity) and batteries, Solar panels including installation etc. cost about rs. 68K approximately.

[pradeepecr]

Thank to you all for the info.

-Pradeep

[monagaadu]

I will have to check the exact details for the costing. But my inverter (which is a hybrid - for both solar and KEB electricity) and batteries, Solar panels including installation etc. cost about rs. 68K approximately.

Hi blrsiteseeker, Whats the power output of your solar panels (0.5KW) ? Can you send the cost details. Thanks

[blrsiteseeker]

I don't have the specs with me, I am away from home right now. Cost details, like I said, I don't have the break up, but total is rs. 68K.

[msn1270]

Monagaadu

Answer for your query on Power output for a 0.5kW Panel lies in your Q itself.
alternately I can say, the voltage output of panels have multiple options like 12V/24V/48V DC.
Based on this rating and current rating your Battery and Inverter systems need to be selected.

3 months back I got a quote for a 12V DC output panel, Rs. 55 per watt (Negotiable) and you can go for total output power of the panel customized to your need like 130W, 240W, 500W. 1000W...etc. Prices are declining slowly.

[pradeepecr]

Hi blrsiteseeker/msn1270,

1. Before proceeding to think about solar power unit, Do I need to analysis on maximum sun light fall period on my house terus area. My house faces to south, my adjacent house at east have one extra floor than mine, It prevent sun light to fall till 10am.
2. What about the maintenance period/amount for this batteries? (life time of batteries)
3. Can give dealer name & brand you went for (Solar Panel/Batteries/Invertor/Wires/ Any other equipments)
4. Do electrical conduit need to provided at mould level for this solar power connection. My electrician have given connection for AC powerpack invertor, at this moment we have completed laying electrical conduits on wall.
5. How much your electrican asked for solar connection in your house. (Is it based on sq. ft or switch Point basis)
6. How much hours of electricity your solar panel can generates in average bangalore weather.
7. In general people will go for Solar water heater line since BESCOM insist the same for new connection, instead of Solar water heater, If I go for solar power unit. whether BESCOM will consider.
8. How much watts / voltage you went for 68k? (Price split-up if possible)

Thanks,
Pradeep